The Neapolitan Novels Boxed Set

I found the Neapolitan novels to be utterly absorbing, full of plot developments and fascinating turns in the story. Elena Ferrante weaves a fascinating account of the evolving lives of a group of friends and families over the course of decades as they and the city change. The ups and downs of their lives and the ever changing relationships keep you guessing and wanting more with every chapter. Bravura series of novels and a real page turner throughout these four books.

Elena Ferrante's words are magic. I read all four books in one week, because (obviously) I couldn't put them down. I had to know what happened to both heroines, their families, their neighborhood, friends, various locations in Italy, etc. The translational the books from Italian to English isn't always smooth. There are cultural and expression differences that just don't have a mirrored counterpart in English, but meaning is understood. I found the parts where the translation was not a perfect match to be some of the most interesting reads, because it gave you a truer presentation of what a native speaker would say and how they might express themselves. While on this train of thought, I was struck by the domestic violence and wondered whether this was a product of the time period in which the stories took place, whether it was common in poorer Italian locations (the author didn't show this type of spousal or girlfriend abuse amongst the wealthier characters)or whether it was simply fictionalized. It was interesting. Anyway - I could not recommend this series of books higher!!!

I watched the HBO series, and enjoyed it so much that I had to purchase them. Good quality. Would recommend.

Very well written. Fascinating story about growing up together and being best friends. The story is dragged on a little to long talking about politics. I loved the 1 and 4 book best.

I powered through all four books even though there were many disturbing images and developments. Growing up in 1950's Naples was complete foreign territory to me and terrifying in many ways as I had been raised in a more or less safe loving environment in Ohio where education was guaranteed and highly valued. I took away a number of valuable insights on relationships, raising children and personal development which I hope I don't forget. Much of what happens through out the story is harsh and hard to accept which leads me to believe that this is not for everyone. The beauty of the writing and the fascination with Lila and Lenu did keep me glued until the end of the saga and I am sorry to have to move on other writing. I hope I've learned something about improving my own writing. I send heartfelt thanks to the author for this amazing work.

Excellent written and such an excellent and exciting story told about a special friendship. It includes strong emotions so well told you feel like you are standing right there witnessing it. I've seen the movies three times and read the books several times!!

Rarely, if ever, have I been so swept away by the breadth of a literary work as I have by this quartet. An indeterminate flow and ebb of psychological possibility; a meditation on the impact of social evolution on the history and myth that precede it; the profundity and purpose of art; the nuanced tributaries of feminism and antifeminism alike: These novels are heady and informative enough to belong in a classroom, readable enough to belong in a beach tote bag, and honest enough (sometimes excruciatingly so) to belong in one’s own self-reflection. In short, read these books, and don’t put them down until you’ve finished!

I like great stories, large books and more books in the series so I was really looking forward to reading this set. I'm mixed on my review. A lot of the story and the characters I found very interesting. Other parts seemed to drag. The writing style is different but ok and the translation is not an issue. The books came highly recommended and I thought I was going to be swept away but that wasn't the case. I persevered to finish the last book.

Elena Ferrante’s ‘Neapolitan Stories’ is a dazzling achievement. Bursting with larger than life - and mostly unpleasant - characters and barely controlled human emotions of the worst (mostly) and best (not often enough) kind, reading this story feels like having your head pushed under the surface of some slimy pool and watching, wide-eyed with shock and awe, the weird and scary life forms that inhabit the murky waters, yet reluctant to surface even though you are sometimes gasping for fresh air and release from all that ugliness. I often found myself shouting vigorously at the main character (in my head, of course), reprimanding her for her folly, foolishness and lack of common sense that had resulted in so many bad decisions, despite her towering intellect. But that is how Elena Ferrante captures the essence of human nature so well and connects her characters with her readers – and I say ‘BRAVO’ to her for that! To write a monumental story of this scale that holds the reader relentlessly from page one to ‘The End’ at almost 2,000 pages is a massive achievement deserving of a full five star rating, happily and freely given for so much fabulous entertainment, even if I do feel punch-drunk by the end of it.

Ce roman en quatre volumes m'a habitée pendant un mois - ou plutôt je l'ai habité pendant un mois - ou 60 ans? C'est une plongée dans l'Italie des années 1950 à 2000 à travers le regard d'une femme intelligente et aussi honnête que possible, avec comme fil rouge sa relation avec une amie d'enfance. Relation jamais simple, faite tour à tour d'admiration mutuelle et de répulsion, de solidarité et de désertion. Leurs visions de la vie, produits de personnalités et de destins différents, ne parviennent pas vraiment à être complémentaires, et leur dualité donne "du nerf" à l'oeuvre. Ce roman, à la fois construit et foisonnant de personnages, de tours et de détours, est aussi l'occasion d'une réflexion sur la création littéraire : ordonner le réel, n'est-ce pas forcément le trahir ? Le tout est d'une lecture très facile, à condition de se reporter souvent au tableau du début qui aide à re-situer les nombreux personnages. Par contre, je n'ai pas trouvé la traduction française très bonne, et les 2 derniers tomes n'étant pas encore parus en français, je les ai achetés en anglais : pas mieux à mon avis. Les mots qui expriment les sentiments, en particulier, me semblent souvent un peu "à côté". Peut-être ces glissements viennent-ils du décalage entre le dialecte napolitain et l'italien. Si quelqu'un a un avis sur la question, ça m'intéresserait...

Porque além de boa literatura, é uma reflexão profunda sobre a condição das mulheres em um contexto social onde as pressões familiares são expostas de forma crua, e as perspectivas de libertação passam pelos dilemas bem explícitos de escapar delas - pobreza, violência , grilhões - e as saídas através da expressão dos talentos, logo redesenhadas pelas pressões sociais.

As an avid viewer of the HBO series of the same name, I was compelled to read the book series to gain more detail and read in advance of the next HBO series 3 release. I was drawn into the two protagonists' world of hard graft, poverty, resilience and above all an enduring, reliant friendship lasting a lifetime. Highly recommend this unforgettable book series.

It is the story of two friends and much more. It' is a story of Italy. You feel like you lived in that part which you don’t visit.